WREX.com – Rockford’s News LeaderVoters to weigh public safety vs. sales tax increase

Voters to weigh public safety vs. sales tax increase

By Marissa Alter

STEPHENSON COUNTY (WREX) - Public safety versus a tax hike--that's what Stephenson County voters have to weigh when they go to the polls for Tuesday's primary. The referendum asks residents to approve doubling the public safety sales tax. It now stands at a half cent, but the county board wants to raise it to a full penny. Most of that new money would go to the Stephenson County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff David Snyders understands the word tax is a turnoff. "I know that economic times are tough right now. I know that. At the same time, we're mandated to provide certain duties to the citizens of the county."

That's been harder due to recent layoffs. With revenues down in all areas, the fiscal year 2010 budget chopped 27 positions from Snyder's office. Those jobs could come back if voters agree to a half cent public safety tax increase.

"I would like to get our staffing levels back to where they were prior to the reductions. I refer to that as an acceptable operating level. In other words, get our law enforcement division back to 29 deputies and our corrections division back to 32 correctional officers."

The current public safety tax generates $1.6 million a year. The proposed hike puts Stephenson county's total sales tax to 7.25%. Freeport's jumps to 8.5%. The extra tax adds 2 cents more to a $4 purchase and $25 to a $5000 buy. It doesn't apply to groceries, medicine, or vehicles.

"We've been doing the best we can. We still are committed to answering the calls. We're committed to respond to any call that comes in. It may take us a little longer to respond to calls for help, calls for assistance, but we will respond."

Snyders says if the referendum fails Tuesday, the county will try again in November.